Australian PM Tony Abbott Speaks Against Islamic State Groups, Refused To Speculate On Execution Of The Bali Nine Duo

In an interview on a TV channel, Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott expressed his positive stand towards the Australian government’s proposed universities and age-pension reforms.

Here is the excerpt from the full interview aired on Sky News.

Made a poor choice of words? Well…

The Prime Minister tried to come clean on the “lifestyle choice” comment he made about Australia’s indigenous population. He said, he accepts that people are going to be “critical” of him. However, he did not concede he had made a ‘poor choice of words’ in saying taxpayers should not be subsidising the “lifestyle choices” of indigenous people living in remote communities.

On cracking down radical groups

Mr. Abbott said the government intended to crack down on hate preachers, “not next week … but shortly’’

Bali Nine: PM doesn’t want to speculate on, but hopes for mercy

The Mr. Abbott told Paul Kelly and Greg Sheridan of The Australian in the exclusive interview that there’s always hope; how strong it is isn’t something he shouldn't speculate on, when asked whether there is still hope that the Indonesian President could be persuaded to change his mind in relations to the planned execution of two Australian citizens--Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, found guilty in Bali Nine smuggling ring. Mr. Abbott said, “I am inclined to think that after everything that has been said in recent weeks, probably now the less said the better if we want the best possible outcome for these two Australians.”

Being on top is important

Prime Minister, Abbott said, only one Australian university was now ranked in the world's top 50. “Why not try to get two in the top 20. Unless we take the dead hand of Canberra away that is going to be extremely difficult,” he asked.

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